15/05/2026
Photography, specifically sports photography is a job, and itās time itās treated as one.
As a society, we pride ourselves on our talents as artists - we host award shows, present prizes, celebrate the talent of creatives. Yet, at some point, every creative has been approached to provide their art- their work- in exchange for exposure, which is to work for free. Art is typically among the last to be funded, and the first to be cut. I canāt think of any other industry that is expected to work as often for exposure, to provide a skill or talent and not be compensated.
We would never call our local plumber and ask them to come and fix something for the exposure. Thereās definitely a time and place for working for exposure- but it should never be the norm. Art is work.
How do you earn your living and how would you feel if the message was that you should work for free? Itās time we acknowledge that artists and creatives deserve to earn a living doing a job they love.
Not respecting creatives who wonāt work for free creates monopolies of those who will. We all lose when they are all thatās left.
What used to be a highly specialised trade is now relatively accessible. Prosumer digital cameras are no longer the investment they once were- almost anyone can purchase a camera and be a photographer. This has seen a boom of sports photographers, and there are some seriously talented creatives on the sidelines of events. Iāve been working sports for well over a decade, and Iāve never seen as many budding photographers as there are now, and itās great to see others offering game images for sale. I have welcomed them on the sidelines and I support them in their journey both in person, and on their social media accounts when I can find them. However, the message that these kids and adults are hearing is that unless youāre working for free, you donāt have as much virtue or value. What this tells new photographers, is that if you choose to sell your work you are somehow less than if you give it away. Thatās not something that we would ever say directly to a creative or to a brick and mortar business.
Every sports photographer loves sports and capturing those moments. Through images we bring you right up close to the game, and show you things you canāt see from the stands. Sports photographers have the best office around- our workspace is everyone elseās entertainment. Just because itās an exciting event, doesnāt make it less work, or less valuable. Sports photography is expensive and time-consuming both at the event and in front of a computer. Working photographers have deadlines, specific client requests for images, and perform within constraints that must be met. Donāt make the mistake of devaluing what photographers do- we work hard to capture images that others canāt.
Sports photography isnāt a competition- thereās enough room on the sidelines for everyone. Watch any sport on TV and youāll see crowded sidelines full of big lenses that are made specifically for capturing sport. Many photographers all at the same event, working alongside each other, capturing the same moments. Local sport is no different no matter where you are. The message should be one that supports new faces, familiar faces, and opens the door for those who are just watching from the sidelines and taking note.
Without our support, creatives canāt work. If the market is saturated with everyone working for free, creativity is stifled. No-one can compete long term in a market that races to free- it means creatives have to find other ways to earn a living. When artists are in a position of financial security that they can work for free- thatās absolutely living the dream and a celebration- but itās not a reality for everyone, and thatās OK too. Thereās room for both, if we take a moment to understand that photography has never been pie.
If your town has sports photographers who have chosen to work hard for your athletes- think about what that means, and support that small business just like you would any other. Have the same expectations of their business as you would for a bakery, auto shop, retailer, or signwriter- donāt think of a photographer as if their work is intangible. Donāt devalue their contributions.
Value artists, and we are a thriving society.
